3-day Alice Springs itinerary: Military history, heritage & the Red Centre

This 3-day Alice Springs itinerary is ideal for travellers interested in military history, communications, and outback heritage, combined with iconic Red Centre landscapes and wildlife experiences. It balances guided touring with free time and is well suited to first-time visitors.

Morning

Welcome to Alice Springs a key hub in Australia’s military and communications history.

Check in to your accommodation at DoubleTree by Hilton Alice Springs, nestled at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges. Take some time to settle in and enjoy the relaxed outback atmosphere.

Afternoon

Join a Historical Alice Springs Tour, introducing you to the town’s critical role in connecting remote Australia and supporting communities across vast distances. Highlights include:

• Royal Flying Doctor Service (Alice Springs Visitor Centre)
  Learn how this iconic service delivers essential healthcare to remote and regional Australia.
• Alice Springs School of the Air Visitor Centre              Discover how children in isolated communities receive their education through radio and digital classrooms.
• Alice Springs Telegraph Station Explore the birthplace of Alice Springs and the original communication link between Australia and the rest of the world.
• Anzac Hill Take in panoramic views across the town and surrounding ranges from this important memorial site.

Evening

Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening. Have dinner at Hanuman, located within the hotel. A long-time local favourite, Hanuman is known for its Thai and Indian-inspired cuisine and is popular with both locals and visitors.

Morning

After breakfast at your accommodation, depart on the Red Centre Journey Tour, a scenic exploration of the landscapes, stories, and characters that define Central Australia.

Your journey includes visits to:

• Napwerte/Ewaninga Rock Carvings, showcasing ancient Aboriginal rock engravings
• Ooraminna Station Homestead, a historic outback cattle station
• Drover’s Boy Film Set, used in the filming of the Australian feature film
• Old Ghan Museum, highlighting the legacy of the original Ghan railway
• Desert Lookout, offering sweeping desert views and photo opportunities

Afternoon

Return to Alice Springs and enjoy lunch in Todd Mall at Page 27 Café. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace, browsing local galleries, cafés, and shops showcasing Aboriginal art, locally made products, and unique Red Centre souvenirs.

Evening

Join expert astronomers at Earth Sanctuary for a guided stargazing experience in Central Australia. Set in a remote, low-light environment outside Alice Springs, the sanctuary offers ideal conditions for viewing the southern night sky.

On selected evenings, guests can enjoy a Dinner and Stars experience at Earth Sanctuary. Alternatively, return to your hotel in Alice Springs and dine at your accommodation or a local restaurant.

Morning

Start your day with breakfast at Olive Pink Botanic Garden, a peaceful riverside garden showcasing Central Australian flora.

Continue to Alice Springs Desert Park, where immersive exhibits explore desert ecosystems, wildlife, and Aboriginal connections to Country.

Midday

Enjoy lunch at local favourite Yaye's cafe. Yaye's offers up quality ingredients with a South American twist and is the perfect place to fuel up before your final afternoon of exploring.

Afternoon

Drive just 18 kilometres west of Alice Springs to visit Simpsons Gap, one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Known for its towering cliffs, permanent waterhole and desert wildlife, Simpsons Gap is best visited at dawn or dusk, when black-footed rock-wallabies are often spotted along the walking track. The area also features classic MacDonnell Ranges vegetation, including mulga woodlands and dozens of rare plant species.

For a creative twist, join a guided watercolour painting tour with Art Tours of Australia, capturing the colours and textures of Central Australia’s landscapes in a peaceful outdoor setting.

Evening

Finish your journey with dinner at Alice Springs Brewing Co, enjoying locally brewed beers and casual dining in a relaxed outback setting.